LOUISIANA — In less than four months, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card (or an acceptable alternative) to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
The new requirement, set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will take effect on May 7, 2025.
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) urges residents to ensure they are #REALIDReady by obtaining a compliant ID before the deadline.
To apply for a REAL ID at an OMV field office, applicants must provide the necessary documents, including:
• Proof of identity (such as a valid passport or birth certificate)
• Proof of Social Security number
• Two proofs of residency in Louisiana
For a complete checklist and to use the interactive REAL ID guide, visit the official OMV website at expresslane.org/REALID.
Residents can verify if their current ID is REAL ID-compliant by looking for a gold star in the top right corner.
Those without a REAL ID will need to use a passport or other TSA-approved identification when flying within the U.S. after the deadline.
For more details, visit DHS.gov/real-id.
